An entire primary school in Devon is doing its bit for CLIC Sargent in honour of a former pupil who was supported by the charity through his own cancer journey.
Over 120 pupils at Bow Community Primary School have recorded their own version of ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman and put the track on general release, as part of CLIC Sargent’s Christmas Appeal .
So far the single has had over 17,000 views on YouTube and reached number 2 on the Amazon Pop Charts.
While download revenues won’t be known until a month after its launch on 14th December, well-wishers have so far donated almost £1,300.
Last week Hugh Jackman shared the YouTube link on his Facebook page and sent the school a message saying: “Congratulations to Bow Community Primary School on your awesome efforts and video of A Million Dreams.
Click here to donate towards our Sunday Mirror Christmas Appeal
As PT Barnum once said: ‘Nobody ever made a difference by being like anyone else.’”
The production is the brain child of Cameron Mills, a music teacher at the school, who also records professionally under the name Thomas Cameron.
“I heard the kids singing the track one lunchtime and thought we could make this into something really special,” Mr Mills said.
During rehearsals he soon realised the cover was so good the public might even pay to download it – and then had to choose a worthy cause.
Toby Sweetland was in Year 4 at the school when, in April 2014, he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
His mum, Catherine, is a Teaching Assistant at the school, and explains why Toby’s cancer journey still strikes a chord in their tight-knit community.
“Bow is a small village, and our school then only had just over 100 pupils, so when Toby got his cancer diagnosis, everyone rallied around,” said Mrs Sweetland.
Toby, now 15, was successfully treated at Bristol Children’s Hospital and then closer to home in Exeter and is now having nine-monthly check-ups to make sure the cancer hasn’t come back.
“Throughout, CLIC Sargent provided the most incredible care, from social workers, to nurses who were relentlessly positive and helpful when we felt we couldn’t cope,” she said.
“We got to benefit from a wonderful ‘Home from Home’ in CLIC House in Bristol, which was a lifeline when we wanted to be near Toby in hospital while also looking after his younger brother, Alfie.
For the school to have chosen CLIC Sargent for the proceeds from this single is incredible.”
Every single one of the school’s pupils has contributed to the single, from singers to pianists to guitarists. Over two months Mr Mills recorded the solo parts separately, but then did a full-school choir recording.
Some proceeds from the track are also being given to the Downs Syndrome Association because a Year 4 boy at the school has the condition.
“This whole project has surpassed everyone’s expectations,” Mr Mills said.
“I’m so proud of all the pupils at Bow Primary, and to know we’re raising so much money to make other people’s lives better is simply heart-warming.”
Catherine added: “We’ll never, ever forget what CLIC Sargent did for our family – Sunday Mirror readers should dig deep this Christmas to support families like our who couldn’t cope alone when they’re dealing with a cancer journey.”
How to donate
Just £5 can help stop cancer cancelling Christmas for young patients and their families – and the Morrisons Foundation will match readers’ donations pound for pound, up to a total of £25,000.
To donate £5 or more online, go to clicsargent.org.uk/xmas or make cheques payable to “CLIC Sargent” and send with your name and address to:
Sunday Mirror Christmas Appeal
CLIC Sargent
126 Fairlie Road
Slough, SL1 4PY (Please use a stamp)
To donate by phone, call 0300 330 0803 (Monday – Friday, 8am-6pm).
You can also donate by text using these codes.
GIVE 5 to 70025 to donate £5
GIVE 10 to 70025 to donate £10
GIVE 20 to 70025 to donate £20
T&Cs:
Texts cost either £5, £10 or £20, plus one standard network rate message.
CLIC Sargent will receive 100% of your donation.
To opt out of calls, text NOCALL CLIC to 78866.
To opt out of SMS, text NOSMS CLIC to 78866.
Texts will be charged at your network’s standard message charge.
For queries, call CLIC Sargent on 0300 330 0803.
Registered charity number 1107328 and registered in Scotland SC039857.
Become a stamp champ
In the build-up to Christmas, CLIC Sargent is calling on Sunday Mirror readers to be a ‘stamp champ’ and collect used stamps to help raise funds.
Carefully cut yours out and send to: Stamp Champ, CLIC Sargent, Unit 6, Abbey Wood Business Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7JU.
